Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Agrawal has expressed regret for his comments against actor and politician Jaya Bachchan. Agrawal lost out to Bachchan in the race for re-nomination to the Rajya Sabha by Samajwadi Party. He switched to BJP on Monday and belittled the actor.

A day later, Agrawal expressed regret and withdrew his words after he faced a backlash from all quarters.

“My intention was not to hurt anybody’s sentiments. I regret if my comment has hurt somebody’s feelings and withdraw my words,” Agrawal said.

He also said that his comments were twisted by the media.

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party’s Jaya Bachchan filing her nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha, in Lucknow on Friday. Also seen are party MP Dimple Yadav and Sahara chief Subrata Roy. PTI Photo

Agrawal’s term as Rajya Sabha member ends on April 2 and the Samajwadi Party chose to again nominated Bachchan to the Upper House.

On Monday, Agrawal formally joined Samajwadi Party and later in a press conference lashed out at Samajwadi Party for denying him a ticket and giving it to someone who ‘danced and acted in films.’